With the Christmas season just around the corner, many offices will have planned a party that employees will be looking forward to after working hard all year. However, from an HR point of view, the joyful environment of an office Christmas party means that some employees might behave in a way that is not acceptable and can cause issues when everyone returns to work on Monday morning. Read on to find out how you should behave when faced with a festive night out.
Don’t drink too much
You may be thinking that a Christmas party is a great time to really let yourself go but it is worth remembering that getting so drunk that you fall over is not the best way to celebrate Christmas with colleagues. By all means, have a few drinks whilst you chat or dance with your colleagues but know your limits. Everyone has an embarrassing story of someone who got far too drunk at a party and you don’t want to be the one who got out of control. It is often said that ‘what happens at the Christmas party, stays at the Christmas party’ but this really isn’t the case if you are out with your colleagues.
When Monday morning comes, you don’t want to find yourself having a meeting with the HR department. So, remember to have a good time but also be responsible as there could be repercussions for your actions. If you are organising the party and are lucky enough to be able to provide a free bar, it is probably best to set a limit on how much can be consumed to avoid any difficult situations. The CIPD can offer HR advice on many different aspects of employment and managing people.
Don’t use Christmas as an excuse for inappropriate behaviour
Too much of the Christmas spirit combined with too many alcoholic drinks is not the signal to act inappropriately with your colleagues or management. Acting inappropriately can cover all kinds of unwanted attention or sexual harassment and this can lead to serious consequences. So remember to watch out for any of your colleagues who might be at risk of doing something they may regret under the influence of alcohol.
Christmas is a time for joy not arguments
The party atmosphere can lead to gossip or moaning about colleagues or the management of the company. Too many drinks can mean that conversations quickly get out of control and there can be a serious risk of someone feeling bullied or discriminated against. If your employers are the ones bullying you, then they raise the risk of employees resigning and bringing a constructive dismissal claim against the company. Firms such as Contact Employment Law Friend can help in cases such as these.
Practical Points
Finally, make sure you know how you are getting to and from the party, that you have the relevant tickets or passes and that you stick to the dress code. No one wants to be the one who is remembered at a Christmas party for being too drunk, too argumentative or behaving in any way inappropriately. Try to remember all these points and you should have a fantastic Christmas celebration with your colleagues at the office Christmas party.
